Dogs destroyed after attack

A GYMPIE dog attack led to the destruction of two dogs late last month, when the Maroochydore Magistrates Court upheld a Gympie Regional Council order to have the dogs put down.

Mayor Ron Dyne said a man was attacked and bitten by the dogs while on public land in Gympie in February 2011.

"They are considered to be dangerous dogs once they bite someone," Cr Dyne said.

The owner of the dogs appealed the council's destruction order and the matter was heard in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 25, this year. It was heard by the Queensland Civil Administration Tribunal in accordance with the Animal Management Act.

The tribunal upheld the destruction order and the dogs were euthanised.

Gympie pound figures over the Christmas period revealed a disturbing spike in the number of dogs and cats dumped or abandoned in the region. Eight dogs and 29 cats had to be euthanised in November, another 19 dogs and six were put into "care" and 10 dogs and 13 cats were taken in by the RSPCA.

In December, 10 dogs and 22 cats were euthanised, five dogs were put into "care, and 31 dogs and 49 cats were taken in by the RSPCA.

Last month, nine dogs and six cats were euthanised, nine dogs and 17 cats put into "care" and 32 dogs and 11 cats taken in by the RSPCA

.Councillor Rae Gate described the increases as "dreadful, outrageous and shameful".

Is there a way to reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs in Gympie? Comment below or email us at editor@gympietimes.com